In de Vrede - Westvleteren

[xhermit]

I'll be traveling to Belgium (among many other places) next month. Of course one of the destinations is Westvleteren. I'm aware of the process to reserve beer from them, however I really only want to walk away with maybe 2 six packs (per person) of their mix. From what I understand, you can buy sixers from their cafe In de Vrede to take-away... is this true? In that case, why go through the process of calling long distance, making reservations, scheduling a pick up date and showing up? Do you get to see more of the abbey this way? I know if you want a crate, you have to... but I cannot fit a crate in my backpack.

I'm kinda just as excited being on premise as I am drinking the beer... even if you cannot do any tours. But if booking a reservation gets me a little closer to where the magic happens, then so be it.

Thanks

 

[xhermit]

Well apparently I can't read. The mix doesn't require reservation and it looks like they just have a window of time you can come pick it up. Otherwise you go to the cafeteria?

* A MIX is a degustation packet containing one bottle TW Blond, one bottle TW 8 and one bottle TW 12. It is sold without reservation and as long as the stock stretches with a maximum of 2 mix packets each person. One mix costs 9 euro.

 

[marcb]

Send me a pm with your email, I'll get you connected with a friend in Belgium for solid info. He's the one that introduced me to Westvleteren 12 on a business trip.

 

[ToAskAQuestion]

I have exactly the same question. It's good to know that this question was posted two days ago. Normally, google searches that turn a question similar to mine, and subsequent answers, are dated 2003 and thus completely irrelevant. Good to know someone else is thinking the same way I am, at approximately the same time I am.

 

[xhermit]

I'll fill you in on the details as soon as I hear from Marc's contact.

 

[xhermit]

Here is some info from a local:

Lately it has become sheer impossible, even for us Belgian's, to get our hands on a crate of Westvleteren...

I don't think you can visit the abbey though.

However, there's a little pub next to the abbey where you can drink a Westvleteren.

http://www.sintsixtus.be/eng/brouwerij.htm

Our beer can also be enjoyed in the welcome center 'In De Vrede', across the street from the abbey. Here you can also visit the Claustrum , an exhibition room with a presentation of life in the abbey as well as information about the brewery and the brewing process.

http://www.sintsixtus.be/eng/claustrum.htm

---

A MIX is a degustation packet containing one bottle TW Blond, one bottle TW 8 and one bottle TW 12. It is sold without reservation and as long as the stock stretches with a maximum of 2 mix packets each person. One mix costs 9 euro.

---

http://www.indevrede.be/languagee/index.htm

 

[Tarks]

I visited the abbey in May of this year. In de Vrede is across the street from the abbey and is a great place to sit back and enjoy their great beers at an awesome price! You can purchase sampler packs in the gift shop. The sample packs consist of 4 beers (two blondes, one 8 and one 12) and a glass. I walked away with two of them to bring back home. They cost approx $25 USD per pack.

Forget about trying to order cases from the abbey, unless you know someone who lives in the area and even then I have been told it is very difficult to get your hands on a crate.

Here is a pic of the sampler pack.

 

[Ice9]

I was there at the beginning of June. We rented bikes in Poperinge and rode out to the abbey/cafe.